New Age vocal music is one of those subgenres that can be tricky to navigate in separating worthwhile recordings from those that are either substandard in music quality or that suffer from lyrical over-earnestness.

Ashana’s Beloved easily handles the first condition with its blend of Western (keyboards, bass, cello and guitars) and ethnic/New Age (tabla, percussion, and crystal singing bowls) instruments. The lyrics are also in good hands.

Ashana and co-composer Thomas Barquee (who also co-produced, sings, and plays keyboards and bass) exercise restraint and don’t go “over the top.” Depending on the song, lyrics may be sung in English, Aramaic, or Sikh, although English predominates.

Ashana has a wonderful, crystalline voice and makes even the more sparsely arranged songs appealing, including the folk-music sounding “Only You in My Heart.”

PlayList: Beloved
As reviewed in: New Age Retailer

September/October 2009

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Anyone who hears even one song is liable to become a fan of Ashana, a kirtan singer and gifted spirit player of crystal singing-bowls, who possesses a voice so clear and pure it melts even the most reticent of hearts. Beloved finds the singer teaming up with producer Thomas Barquee, who creates beautiful, sonically warm, and full yet invitingly spare settings for Ashana’s heavenly voice to soar to the heavens, and chakra-tingling singing bowls to slide to the root of your spine and activate all of your hidden prana, as if you’ve been waiting for this album all your life without even knowing it.

Each of these tracks is a full even unto itself, a chant you can repeat as you meditate, or a song you can cry in quiet joy as you move around the house. “The Aramaic Lord’s Prayer” is an initially solemn affair, with Ashana gently reciting the Aramaic words until her voice seems to sprout wings and fly in a beautiful melodic bridge, later stepping aside altogether for a moody cello solo. “Deep Peace” has a standing-still-in-time feeling with smooth vocal tones washing over gently struck tablas and gentle piano refrains working slowly in the background, as if afraid they might disturb Ashana from her profound trance. She hits high notes with an effortlessness that is as natural as the ambient bird noises occasionally fluttering in the background. “Peace” was originally written as a testimonial of love for a deceased friend, and Ashana sings, “Moon and stars / Pour their healing light on you / Deep peace to you / Deep peace to you.”

The final track is the popular chant “Wahe Guru,” which pulses with Ashana’s deeply felt attention as she provides her own multitracked vocal counterpoint over soft percussion and acoustic guitar. Ashana notes that the title “Wahe Guru” means “wonderful lord” in Gurumukhi but “Yogi Bhajan, who brought Kundalini yoga and Sikhism to the West, translated it even more deliciously as ‘Indescribable Ecstasy!’” When Ashana sings the words of this infectious, stirring mantra, you feel that ecstasy; as if all the pop songs you ever rocked out to on the radio in the summer were all beaming back to you in a sudden euphoric rush. With this album Ashana has created an oasis, a sun-dappled island in the cosmic stream, where selfless love strikes an eternal chord, and every little smudge and streak is gently wiped from your inner windows until all is as bright within as without. All you need to do is press play and let Beloved take you to where deep peace dwells.

As reviewed by: Daily OM

January 26, 2010

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Beloved by Ashana
When Ashana friended me on Twitter and I listened to “Opening to Love” on her MySpace page, I couldn’t stop listening and had an instant recognition. Within the first few chords my chest changed and love was present immediately. It’s from Ashana’s latest album, Beloved.

These songs are musical experiences of the Divine, harmonies to the Divine, and an undeniable example of artist as vessel.

Ashana breathes and gives life to alchemy and classic frosted crystal singing bowls. She also sings and composes. On Beloved, Thomas Barquee is co-writer on all but one track; producer, arranger, and on keyboards, bass and vocals. The other instrumentation includes cello, guitars, tablas and percussion.

Let’s be clear though, this is ethereal music and the arrangements make use of these instruments in unique ways.

Barquee’s arrangements and production values are richly sensitive and provide a container for this music that wouldn’t be readily available in other hands.

Before going into any other details, and fully acknowledging her special touch with crystal bowls, let me mention that Ashana’s voice is…purity personified. It has a singular clarity and a layered presence.

The Tracks

One of my favorite aspects of Beloved is that it honors world traditions. For instance the first track You are My Breath includes the Sufi invocation, La’illaha il’Allah, meaning “There is nothing other than You, O God. You alone are God!” This is really the title track of the album as it’s a serenade to the Beloved.

I’ve been a fan of The Aramaic Lord’s Prayer for some time now, in various translations that are so radically powerful, compared to the version in the regular translations of the Bible. Here, Ashana actually sings a version by Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz in Aramaic. Listen once and you’ll understand why I’m so moved by this music. Clocking at 10:10 minutes, it can easily be put on prepetual repeat.

O Birther! Father- Mother of the Cosmos
Focus your light within us – make it useful.
Create your reign of unity now-
through our fiery hearts and willing hands
Help us love beyond our ideals
and sprout acts of compassion for all creatures.
Animate the earth within us: we then
feel the Wisdom underneath supporting all.
Untangle the knots within
so that we can mend our hearts’ simple ties to each other.
Don’t let surface things delude us,
But free us from what holds us back from our true purpose.
Out of you, the astonishing fire,
Returning light and sound to the cosmos.
Amen.

Dona Nobis Pacem means “Give us peace” from the Roman Catholic mass. This track highlights Ashana’s voice. It’s also impressive in how the guitar is played to sound like an instrument from the Renaissance. In fact, throughout the whole album the juxtaposition of all the instruments is surprising. It really makes me smile for instance to hear tablas accentuating this very Latin chant.

Opening to Love comes from a depth of heart the world needs so much. Ashana actually wrote it for a deceased friend, but as is the universal theme of this album, and as she says on her website: “I dedicate this piece to his spirit, which is of course, the spirit of everlasting, unconditional love that is the essence of who we are.”

Only You in My Heart has no notes about it. It doesn’t need explanation. You refers to…you know by now.

Deep Peace is a traditional Gaelic blessing that I happen to email to my students as my wish for them after completing Level I Reiki. This version has 10 and 12 inch Aqua Gold crystal singing bowls as drones in an arrangement which gently rocks you side to side in peace, literally.

Deep peace to you.
Deep peace to you.
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace to you.

Here’s what Ashana says about Alleluia – Wahe Guru: “Alleluia” is a word used in both Jewish and Christian traditions to express praise, joy and thanks to the Divine. Wahe Guru! is the primary mantra of the Sikh religion, and means “Wonderful Lord!” Yogi Bhajan, who brought Kundalini Yoga and Sikhism to the West, translated it even more deliciously as “Indescribable Ecstasy!”

Beloved is a complete work and substantial achievement. I’m very enamored of way the cello is a constant presence and highlighted beautifully in several parts. There are rich, sustained basses and other drones, eloquent guitar, embellishing keyboards, and bemusing tablas.

Then it’s all tied together by the presence of the Divine that fills you from the speakers or headphones.

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Pamir Kiciman provides Reiki Training and Healing services to those seeking to make their spirituality and healing power a conscious part of their life. His approach to Reiki is that it’s a path to enlightenment, with healing being a natural function.  Please take a moment to visit Pamir’s blog to help you help yourself and the world

The Inspiration

The words for “Opening To Love” were inspired by my friendship with an extraordinary and dearly loved friend, Robert Frey, who died five years ago. Robert was a totally magical human being. He was like an elf in human form and one of the kindest and most loving people I have ever known. A musician and songwriter, Robert led tantra workshops, was a counselor and helped people learn how to have healthy relationships. One of the last songs he recorded was a very simple chant “I am opening to love.”

Robert held a space for me to come into my heart long before I ever had a clue what that meant, let alone what it might feel like. The whole idea of being vulnerable was terrifying to me. The idea of actually feeling love and acceptance for myself terrified me even more. Nevertheless, Robert’s presence and influence remained with me long after we lost touch. Two weeks before he died, I felt a strong inspiration to contact a mutual friend of ours. I sent a message to Robert, sending him my love and shortly thereafter, received a message back from him. The next thing I heard, he had suffered an accident, and had passed away, peacefully, surrounded by friends who sang him over to the other side on the music he so lovingly shared with all of us. After his passing, I felt his presence, love and encouragement very tangibly. In the three years since his death, my heart is indeed opening, more and more each day. I’ve no doubt that Robert’s spirit is laughing with delight.

The Recording

So when it came time to record “Beloved“, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to offer a song with these precious words — “I am opening to your love.” Recording the lead vocals was a totally blissful experience. As I began to sing, all the people in my life who I have loved, and who loved me, came before me, one by one. I sang to each of them. Then, I felt and saw all those who have challenged me the most — the  relationships that demanded relentless forgiveness, understanding, patience and acceptance. I sang to each one. As I chanted the words, over and over and over again, I experienced my heart softening, and filling  with gentleness, forgiveness and love.

When I perform this song in concert, I share this story with the audience and suggest that people try it for themselves as we sing together. I cannot tell you how often I sit at the piano, singing and watching, as people begin to cry, their hearts breaking open in the space of love that these simple, healing words create.

A few days ago, I had the inspiration to use this song as a meditation for myself. In closing, I’d like to share it with you. It is a very sweet and easy practice you can do to connect more deeply with the Love You Are, using this beautiful chant as an anchor. The first time I did it, I literally felt my heart break open as I gazed into my own eyes.

Opening To Love — a simple meditation to connect to the Love You Are

Find 10 minutes where you can sit quietly and undisturbed in front of a mirror, where you can comfortably look into your own eyes. If you like, you can also place one or two beautiful pictures of someone you love or who inspires you — a family member, friend, a beloved pet, a spiritual guide or teacher with whom you feel a connection.

Gently place your right hand over your left, on top of your heart. Look into the mirror and gaze deeply into your own eyes. Begin singing along with “Opening To Love.” Notice the feelings that come up for you — boredom, joy, judgment, love, sadness, grief — whatever they are, simply notice them and allow them to be. Make no effort to change or correct what you are feeling. Give yourself full permission to be present and gently accept everything that comes up for you. Alternate between the photos and the mirror, whatever feels right for you in the moment. Imagine that your voice is coming directly out of your heart. When the song is over, repeat, or sit quietly, allowing your awareness to rest in the quiet, still center of your being.

I’ve made a commitment to do this practice for 21 days. If you feel inspired to join me, drop me an email at ashana@ashanamusic.com. I’d love to share experiences with you and see what happens for us.

From my heart to yours,

Ashana

“Opening To Love” is the fourth song on Ashana’s CD “Beloved.” To order a copy, visit www.AshanaMusic.com. The song is also available for download from iTunes.

The first song you’ll hear is the title track from the CD – “You Are My Breath”. The song actually has two choruses; the second one being the Sufi chant “La illaha il”Allah,” which roughly translated means “There is but one God”. Being a yogini for the last 20 years, I have wanted to write a song about the breath for the longest time. Scott Kalechstein, a very wonderful writer of inspirational English chants, has a beautiful piece called “Closer and Closer,” which I have sung for many, many years. His piece really was the initial inspiration behind “You Are My Breath.” Daniel Ladinsky’s poem, “The Christ’s Breath” was the second. Shortly after reading this poem the lyrics to “You Are My Breath” galloped onto the page.

I sang “You Are My Breath” publicly for the first time at Unity of Tustin, CA where I was honored to be the guest artist when Andrew Harvey was speaking. He was on fire talking about Rumi and the Beloved, and the passion of serving the world at this time in history. He implored everyone to connect deeply with their passion and to offer it in service. His love for Rumi is so palpable it is intoxicating. Listening to Andrew speak and singing both before and after his talk was deeply moving for me.

More than a year later, when Thomas Barquee and I got together to record “Beloved” I sang it for him and we both instantly knew it had to be on the CD. Thomas helped me find the joy, and I was high as a kite on love when I was recording the vocals.

This is a joyful song to open the heart and offer the love of the Beloved to others while bringing it into your own heart. As always, I offer this to you from mine, heart to heart.

Ashana